FSIN ombudsman role to address systemic racism in health care

Calling it a first-of-its-kind facility in Canada, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) officially opened its ombudsperson office Tuesday.

The role of an ombudsperson is to listen to complaints from people who allege unfair treatment by a provincial or municipal body. This initiative, in partnership with the federal government, aims to improve how Indigenous communities navigate the health-care system.

Dianne Lafond, the first ombudsperson at the new office, says the centre will be a safe place to amplify Indigenous voices.

“We can elevate their voice when they’ve been oppressed for many years – our culture has been silenced,” she stated at opening.

The office will participate in conflict resolution and propose system improvements.

“We’ve got to acknowledge there’s systemic racism within the health-care system,” Lafond said, adding the office received many first-hand accounts since opening July 1.

Lafond explained their office will work across the province and that they will be diverse and flexible when dealing with First Nations people.

With the centre now open and relationships slowly starting to build, Lafond thinks this centre will be effective for the Indigenous community.

“It’s going to be so helpful because we’ve seen it already. We’ve been answering the calls, going out to nations and the impacts are going to be huge,” Lafond said. “When you send in complaints to the College of Physicians, people expect answers, they expect to be acknowledged.”